Prairie’s unified soccer spring season begins soon. Its first practice begins after school on March 10th. Come be a part of something great!
Unified sports is held by the Special Olympics and is something great to be a part of, it is a chance to help others and expand your social skills. Donna Smith, Prairie High School’s unified coach gives us a quick summary of what unified soccer is, “Unified soccer is students with and without disabilities playing soccer together. There are 5 players, 3 athletes, which are students with intellectual disabilities, and 2 partners which are what we need for our unified team. Our partners are students without intellectual disabilities and it’s all sponsored and hosted through Special Olympics, and of course, it’s a lot of fun. It also looks great on a college application.” She states. If you’re interested in helping out and becoming a partner, this is a great opportunity to do so!
Being a partner for unified teams helps with knowing what to do in tough situations and an opportunity to be included. Sofia Ahlers, a junior who has been involved in unified sports since her freshman year was asked what inspired her to get involved with unified soccer, she replied, “Starting unified basketball as a freshman was a great opportunity to spread inclusion throughout the school and have a fun positive activity, so doing soccer was a great spring sport.” anyone can join unified soccer, if you know how to kick a ball then you got it all covered.
Many challenges can come with unified sports, but meanwhile, you are also learning how to listen to other people’s sides and points of view, understand others’ feelings, and also that it is ok to be wrong. The point is to be a team and be there for one another. “ I try to support my team by helping out whenever it’s needed, cheering on the players, and making sure that everyone knows we all support them.” Ahlers adds.
Prairie’s unified team is amazing, like any other team. The players have achieved go to state numerous times and even won a national banner for becoming champions by Special Olympics, but at the end of the day to have fun. “The biggest thing for unified is, of course, we want to go to state but honestly having fun and making sure everyone is being safe and to use a lot of sportsmanship.” Coach Smith says. So what do you say falcons, will we see you there?
